Police community support officers teamed up with Braintree Council in an effort to reduce homelessness.

Support officers Terrie Johnson and Lorraine Keating, from Braintree Community Policing Team, have spent weeks working with a member of the council’s housing options team to identify people in Braintree who are homeless.

The trio carried out foot patrols in the town centre and surrounding area, looking for anyone who appeared to be sleeping rough to see how they could help them and signposted them to support.

One of the people Terrie and Lorraine spoke to was injured so the pair gave initial first aid to the man and took him to get medical treatment.

PCSO Johnson said: “We spoke to a number of individuals, we started by building a rapport after buying them a cup of tea.

“We will continue to work with them and keep an eye on them to ensure their welfare.

“We’ve been able to gather some intelligence from them which is always good but our main concern is to save life and limb.

“Alongside our colleagues, Pc Andy Crow and Pc Craig Wheeler, we’re working closely with partners to actively support some of the most vulnerable people in the area to help them get their lives on track and help them into housing.”

As of last month, local authorities are legally required to offer assistance to eligible people facing homelessness.

Two new duties include taking reasonable steps to prevent homelessness and taking reasonable steps to relieve homelessness.

Cllr Lynette Bowers Flint, responsible for planning and housing, said: “Homelessness is something which can affect any of us so it’s great to see that our partnership working with Essex Police is making a difference and helping individuals get the support they need.

“We help around 300 people avoid losing their home each year and we will always offer assistance to anyone in the district who is experiencing housing problems.”